This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:
Public access to information is a vital component of ensuring community engagement in prevalent issues. Wildlife crime is one of the pressing environmental issues of our time.
Wildlife crime investigations are generally covert operations requiring utmost confidentiality to succeed. Investigations and prosecutions in complex cases may take months or even years to complete. For this reason, the information that can be released to the public without compromising cases is often limited. Nonetheless, the Namibian government strives to share as much information as possible with the public.
The Namibian media has welcomed this approach and regularly publishes statistics and feature articles on wildlife crime. These are entered into the database at regular intervals, creating a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia.
Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.
Rhino poaching in the northwest of Namibia has declined by 80% since it peaked in 2013. This is according to the CEO of Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), Namibia Simson Uri-Khob, who said that even though rhinos are still under threat, the organisation has been making great strides in protecting them in the northwest of the country. "Our tracking teams are dedicated and our intelligence unit is relentless in its pursuit of information that can be used to safeguard our rhinos, while our donors are supportive, which makes the statistics we have to share with you possible."
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NAM_2018-08_Northwest winning poaching war_Namibian Sun.pdf | 83.85 KB |
The environment ministry's anti-poaching unit has been in limbo for four years, awaiting budget allocations for appointments. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda confirmed yesterday there have been no new recruitments to the unit since retired police commissioner Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa was officially appointed as its head on 1 August last year. At that stage Kashihakumwa and seven other members were appointed to the vital unit. Muyunda said due financial constraints the ministry has been unable to recruit anyone else to the unit, which will eventually consist of…
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NAM_2018-07_Anti_poaching unit in limbo_Namibian Sun.pdf | 95.93 KB |
The environment minister Pohamba Shifeta has expressed his concern with the change in tactics by would-be poachers.
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NAM_2018-02_Poachers using new tactics_Namibian Sun.pdf | 106.69 KB |
Investigations are ongoing at a farm on the outskirts of Windhoek where a rhino was poached over the weekend and its horns removed. Two rhinos were shot on Friday on a farm located near Aris and one of them survived the attack.
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NAM_2017-11_Rhino poached outside capital_Namibian Sun.pdf | 102.89 KB |
This year a total of 27 rhinos and 20 elephants have been poached, indicating a significant decline in poaching when compared to previous years. Releasing the latest statistics of recorded poaching incidents of rhino and elephants for this year, the environment and tourism minister, Pohamba Shifeta, said rhino poaching had gone done down by about 50% from 2016. In 2016, a total of 60 rhino were poached while 95 rhino were poached in 2015 and 56 rhino in 2014.
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NAM_2017-10_Poaching on the decrease_Namibian Sun.pdf | 108.3 KB |
Smuggling routes have become more convoluted as syndicates attempt to evade detection, a new report says. Namibia has been identified as a significant link in the international rhino-horn smuggling network. This follows a surge in rhino poaching in Namibia since 2013. Previously the country was not identified in this trafficking route. This is according to a rapid assessment of smuggling routes and techniques used in the illicit trade in African rhino horn.
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NAM_2017-10_Namibia turns into poachers paradise_Namibian Sun.pdf | 97.36 KB |
Owners of white rhinos have been warned to be careful when employing workers. With increased anti-poaching efforts taking place in Namibia the trend of rhino poaching has shifted to black rhino under custodianship and privately owned white rhinos.
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NAM_2017-09_Rhino owners must vet workers_Namibian Sun.pdf | 94.96 KB |
A teacher was among the suspects arrested for poaching this weekend in the Kunene Region, following the recent discovery of two rhino carcasses. This brings the total of poached rhinos in Namibia to 26 for the year compared to a total of 60 in 2016.
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NAM_2017-08_Teacher arrested for poaching_Namibian Sun.pdf | 110.18 KB |
Environmentalists and conservation groups have expressed their dismay over the decision by the Windhoek High Court to fine two ivory smugglers only N$20,000, saying such a slap on the wrist defeats Government’s efforts to curb poaching.
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NAM_2017-08_Outrage over N20 000 ivory smuggling fine_Windhoek Observer.pdf | 302.69 KB |
The ministry of environment and tourism has issued corrected statistics on wildlife crimes since 2014. Huge inconsistencies have been uncovered in the environment ministry's statistics on wildlife crimes, with conflicting statistics on the number of poaching suspects arrested. Last week, the ministry released figures on the nationalities of people arrested in wildlife crimes in Namibia between 2014 and 2017. These figures did not correspond with the figures issued to Namibian Sun in February during an exclusive interview with the environment minister. Upon…
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NAM_2017-07_Poaching stats confusion_Namibian Sun.pdf | 110.13 KB |
Seven more rhinos have been killed by poachers in Etosha, driving the species ever closer to extinction. Seven rhino carcasses discovered during aerial patrols in the Etosha National Park at the weekend have been confirmed to have been poached. This brings the total of poached rhinos to 16 this year, while there have also been 16 elephants poached this year. Altogether 59 rhinos were poached in the country last year and 95 rhinos in 2015, 56 in 2014 and 9 in 2013.
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NAM_2017-06_Rhino death toll rises_Namibian Sun.pdf | 93.47 KB |
Seven rhino carcasses of which several have already been confirmed to be poached, were discovered in the Etosha National Park this past weekend during routine patrols by officials of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda yesterday confirmed to Namibian Sun that during patrols in the park between 23 and 25 June seven rhino carcasses were discovered. "The carcasses are all believed to be for this year."
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NAM_2017-06_Seven rhino carcasses found in Etosha_Namibian Sun.pdf | 103.49 KB |
The bill, amongst others, proposes that foreigners who are found guilty of wildlife crimes will not be allowed back in Namibia after completing their jail terms. This will apply to foreigners who are found guilty of possession of, and dealing in, elephant and rhino products.
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NAM_2017-06_New wildlife law tough as nails_Namibian Sun.pdf | 106.64 KB |
A courier parcel containing 16 pieces of rhino horn was discovered at the Eros Airport on Friday. The parcel was destined for Malaysia via Johannesburg. The horns were concealed in a parcel from a local courier company, which contained coffee boxes.
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NAM_2017-05_Rhino horns intercepted at airport_Namibian Sun.pdf | 103.72 KB |
The Chinese man who smuggled 18 rhino horns through Hosea Kutako International Airport and was arrested in South Africa has been sentenced to a fine of R1.2 million or six years in prison. He paid the fine and will not spend any time in prison. Ye Zhiwei appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court last Wednesday.
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NAM_2017-04_No jail for rhino_horn smuggler_ Namibian Sun.pdf | 70.55 KB |
An outdated law stipulating lenient sentences for wildlife smuggling has led to the granting of bail to two alleged rhino-horn smugglers. The two Chinese nationals who were arrested in January for possession of rhino horns worth more than N$400 000 were granted bail of N$300 000 each yesterday. Yonghui Lu, 41, and Nan Chen, 29, appeared before Magistrate Venessa Stanley in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court and the case was postponed to 21 June for further investigation.
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NAM_2017-04_Two Chinese granted bail _Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.92 KB |
Foreigners who are found guilty of wildlife crimes will not be allowed back in Namibia after completing their jail terms. This is but one of the amendments contained in the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Amendment Bill that was tabled in the National Assembly by the minister of environment and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, last week. This will apply to foreigners who are found guilty of possession of, and dealing in, elephant and rhino products. Shifeta said a court order would be issued and the person would be declared persona non grata after serving his or…
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NAM_2017-04_Lifelong ban for poaching convicts_Namibian Sun_2017.pdf | 68.87 KB |
he number of rhinos killed by poachers this year has risen to five after two more carcasses were found on the farm Okanenampanti belonging to businessman Frans Indongo. Environment ministry spokesman Romeo Muyunda yesterday confirmed these figures to Namibian Sun and said two rhino carcasses were found on Okanenampanti on 17 March. In January, a white rhino carcass without horns was discovered at the farm near Otjiwarongo, which is the location of the Frans Indongo Lodge. One of the carcasses discovered this month was still fresh while the other carcass was old, said Muyunda…
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NAM_2017-03_Poachers hit Indongos farm again_Namibian Sun.pdf | 68.57 KB |
The carcass of another black rhino has been found in the Kunene Region, making it the third rhino poaching incident in Namibia this year. According to the spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Edwin Kanguatjivi, the carcass of a black rhino calf was discovered on 15 March at Kliprivier in the Grootberg area. "The horns of the rhino were hacked off with a sharp unknown object," said Kanguatjivi.
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NAM_2017-03_Rhino carcass found at Grootberg_Namibian Sun.pdf | 103.79 KB |
The Chinese national who smuggled 18 rhino horns through Hosea Kutako International Airport and was arrested in South Africa, had received the rhino horns in Windhoek. Ye Zhiwei, 28, who pleaded guilty to charges of importing the rhino horns without the necessary permits in the Kempton Park Regional Court in
South Africa, said in his plea explanation that he had received 15 black rhino horns and three white rhino horns at a hotel in Windhoek.
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NAM_2017-02_18 horns received in Windhoek_Namibian Sun.pdf | 108.29 KB |
Foreigners who are found guilty of wildlife crimes should serve out their sentences, be deported and should not be allowed back in Namibia. This is the view of environment minister Pohamba Shifeta, who says the Nature Conservation Ordinance Act is outdated and far too lenient in its sentencing of poachers. According to Shifeta, the ministry is in the process of amending the Act and proposed fines for poaching will range from N$100 000 to N$25 million.
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NAM_2017-02_Shifeta wants a wildlife court_Namibian Sun.pdf | 76.34 KB |
The two Chinese nationals who were arrested last week for possession of rhino horns worth more than N$400 000 appeared in court yesterday and their case was postponed to next month. Yonghui Lu (41) and Nan Chen (29) made their first court appearance before the Windhoek Magistrate Court yesterday. The two Chinese nationals appeared on charges of possession of and dealing in controlled wildlife products. The case was postponed to 13 February for a formal bail hearing.
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NAM_2017-01_Chinese in court over rhino horns_Namibian Sun.pdf | 82.54 KB |
The Chinese national, who smuggled 18 rhino horns through the Hosea Kutako International Airport and was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, has pleaded guilty to all charges against him. Ye Zhiwei, 28, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court in South Africa this week for dealing in rhino horn under the Endangered Species Act and will appear on 10 February again for sentencing.
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NAM_2017-01_Chinese with 18 rhino horns pleads guilty_Namibian Sun.pdf | 68.8 KB |
Four rhinos, including a prized bull, were shot on private land near Gobabis, however, the poachers only got away with the horns of two.
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NAM_2016-12_Four rhinos butchered at Gobabis_Namibian Sun.pdf | 155.5 KB |
Local environmentalists warn Chinese nationals. About 40 environmental organisations have issued a stern warning to Chinese nationals involved in criminal activities in the country.
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NAM_2016-12_Stop poaching now_Namibian Sun.pdf | 93.17 KB |
A shootout in Bwabwata National Park has left one poacher dead with three that got away and the public is warned they are armed and dangerous. A poacher was on Monday fatally shot during crossfire between an anti-poaching unit and a group of poachers in the Bwabwata National Park.
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NAM_2016-12_Elephant poacher shot dead_Namibian Sun.pdf | 120.67 KB |
Elephant and rhino poached, poachers arrested. In what marks a bloody few days for Namibia's wildlife, authorities have scored some major successes with busts and arrests.
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NAM_2016-12_Bloody few days for our wildlife_Namibian Sun.pdf | 88.89 KB |
Two Chinese nationals who were caught at the roadblock to the Hosea Kutako International Airport with pieces of elephant tusk will appear in court today. The two were arrested at the Kapps Farm roadblock on Wednesday afternoon when alert police officials searched their vehicle. According to the spokesperson of the Namibian police, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi the two men were arrested between 12:00 and 14:00 at the roadblock.
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NAM_2016-12_Chinese bust with ivory will appear today_Namibian Sun.pdf | 89.04 KB |
A sergeant in the Namibian police has been arrested in connection with a case in which a Chinese national was arrested with 18 rhino horns at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg last week. Sergeant Pendapala Abraham Iitula,42, who worked at Hosea Kutako International Airport, appeared before the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura yesterday on a charge of defeating and obstructing the course of justice.
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NAM_2016-12_Airport cop arrested in rhino horn case_Namibian Sun.pdf | 79.02 KB |
Full-scale investigations have been launched into activities at the Hosea Kutako International Airport after it was determined that the 18 rhino horns that a Chinese national was found in possession of in Johannesburg, were detected by scanners at Hosea Kutako International Airport. However, even though the scanners detected the rhino horns in the luggage of Ye ZhiWe, 28, who was in transit from Windhoek to Hong Kong, he was still allowed to board a South African Airways flight bound for Johannesburg.
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NAM_2016-11_Rhino horns_Heads will roll_Namibian Sun.pdf | 94.38 KB |
A Chinese national in transit from Windhoek to Hong Kong was arrested with 18 rhino horns at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon. Namibian Police spokesperson Edwin Kanguatjivi yesterday confirmed that the 28-year-old Chinese man was arrested in South Africa after he departed from Hosea Kutako International Airport on Wednesday morning at 06:40.
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NAM_2016-11_Chinese man caught with 18 rhino horns_Namibian Sun.pdf | 86.53 KB |
The State has asked that the four Chinese men found guilty of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns and a leopard skin from Namibia should be sentenced to six years in prison.
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NAM_2016-09_State wants 6 years for Chinese smugglers_Namibian Sun.pdf | 90.88 KB |
The evidence of the Chinese nationals who were arrested in Namibia’s biggest rhino horn smuggling case to date, was rejected by Magistrate Alexis Diergaardt as false and they were found guilty of the possession and export of controlled wildlife products. The landmark case, which has been dragging on for more than two years, finally came to an end on Friday when Diergaardt made her judgment at the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura finding the four Chinese nationals guilty on two of the three counts they were charged with. Diergaardt said that she found the four men…
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NAM_2016-09_Chinese rhino smugglers guilty_Namibian Sun.pdf | 83.32 KB |
Seven alleged rhino poachers were refused bail last week in the Omararu Magistrate's Court following protests and petitions by the community against their release.
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NAM_2016-08_No bail for suspected poachers_Namibian Sun.pdf | 100.57 KB |
The long-awaited judgement in the trail in which four Chinese nationals stand accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth millions out of Namibia has again been postponed. A large media contingent yesterday gathered at court ready to hear the judgement in the largest rhino horn smuggling trial in Namibia, but had to turn away disappointed when it was postponed for almost a month to 13 September.
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NAM_2016-08_Rhino horn judgement postponed again_Namibian Sun.pdf | 101.37 KB |
The search for a wildlife warrior to lead the national anti-poaching unit is continuing. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism is still searching for a suitable candidate to spearhead the country’s anti-poaching unit and will consider headhunting a candidate should the right person for the job not be found. Environment Minister Pohamba Shifeta told Namibian Sun that the recruitment process started months ago but they have not found a suitable candidate.
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NAM_2016-08_No suit and tie man for anti poaching unit_Namibian Sun.pdf | 107.92 KB |
Thirty-five rhino carcasses have been discovered that were poached last year, raising the 2015 figure to 125 rhinos killed. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism yesterday announced this new statistic and said poachers had killed 37 rhinos so far this year.
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NAM_2016-08_Rhino slaughter continues_Namibian Sun.pdf | 89.14 KB |
The judgement which has been described as Namibia’s biggest rhino horn smuggling case to date, will finally be delivered next month. Four Chinese nationals stand accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2 million out of Namibia.
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NAM_2016-05_Rhino horn smuggling verdict next month_Namibian Sun.pdf | 107.69 KB |
Private conservation group COVER (Conserving our Valuable Rhino and Elephant) has halted its anti-poaching operations, due to an ongoing legal battle against the founder of the organisation. The court case, which is pending in the High Court, stems from an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into the alleged misuse of funds raised for rhino protection during the so-called Black Tie event last year, which included a wine auction.
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NAM_2016-05_Cover halts anti_poaching activities_Namibian Sun.pdf | 129.85 KB |
More than two years after the biggest rhino horn smuggling case in Namibia was uncovered, the defence rested on Tuesday after the alleged kingpin that was pulling the strings in Namibia took the stand. The case, which involves four Chinese nationals Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing, Pu Xuexin and Wang Hui, was postponed in the Windhoek Regional Court for closing arguments on 20 May. The four men were arrested for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2.3 million and a leopard skin valued at N$50 000 out of Namibia.
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NAM_2016-04_State hammers Chinese accused_Namibian Sun.pdf | 84.88 KB |
The State yesterday painted a picture of the pecking order among the four Chinese men accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing, Pu Xuexin and Wang Hui yesterday appeared in the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura for the continuation of their trial. They are charged with trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2.3 million and a leopard skin valued at N$50 000 out of Namibia. The items were found in two suitcases at Hosea Kutako International Airport on March 24 last year.
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NAM_2016-02_State shows hierarchy in rhino case_Namibian Sun.pdf | 79.43 KB |
State prosecutor Simba Nduana yesterday told one of the Chinese men standing trial in Namibia’s largest rhino-horn-smuggling case that he and one of his co-accused had concocted a “cock and goose” story for the court that was filled with inconsistencies. Li Xiaoliang was cross-examined in the Windhoek Regional Court as the trial of Xiaoliang and his co-accused, Li Zinbing, Pu Xuexin and Wang Hui, continued.
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NAM_2016-02_Chinese rhino story was concocted_Namibian Sun.pdf | 61.09 KB |
South Africa last week announced that the number of rhinos poached during 2015 had gone down from the 1 215 record total in 2014 to 1 175 in 2015. The wildlife trade monitoring network, TRAFFIC’s Director of Policy Sabri Zain said in a statement that although there was a slight decrease in rhino poaching in South Africa and the authorities are having some impact on the ground, the numbers are hardly cause for celebration or complacency.
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NAM_2016-01_Poaching networks infiltrate Africa_Namibian Sun.pdf | 120.2 KB |
The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, was in the Etosha National Park last week and unearthed a range of irregularities. He says the park regulations are not being obeyed. Shifeta stressed that action will be taken against those who do not comply with the rules of the park, but that this action will depend on what rules are broken. He said it is a privilege for anyone to visit or stay at Etosha and the park must be respected. "It is our national heritage."
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NAM_2016-01_Wildlife staff run amok in Etosha_Namibian Sun.pdf | 103.36 KB |
The State has closed its case in Namibia’s biggest rhino horn smuggling trial to date, in which four Chinese nationals stand accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of the country. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing, Pu Xuexin and Wang Hui appeared in the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura last week for the continuation of their trial. They were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle rhino horns worth more than N$2.3 million and a leopard skin valued at N$50 000 out of Namibia. The items were found in two luggage bags at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on March 24 last…
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NAM_2015-12_State closes in landmark rhino horn trial_Namibian Sun.pdf | 81.2 KB |
The State has suffered a huge blow in a rhino smuggling case, after the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura ruled that the evidence three of the four accused gave in their bail hearings cannot be used in their trial. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing, Pu Xuexin, whose bail evidence was ruled on, appeared with Wang Hui yesterday. They were arrested for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2.3 million and a leopard skin worth N$50 000 out of Namibia last year.
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NAM_2015-12_State suffers huge blow in rhino case _Namibian Sun.pdf | 86.5 KB |
The State and the defence have locked horns over the constitutional right of the accused not to incriminate themselves, in a landmark rhino horn smuggling trial involving Chinese nationals, whose families are reportedly blissfully unaware of their legal troubles in Namibia. Li Xiaoliang, Li Zhibing, Pu Xuexin and Wang Hui appeared yesterday in the Windhoek Regional Court in Katutura. They have been arrested for trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2.3 million and a leopard skin of N$50 000 out of Namibia last year.
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NAM_2015-12_Vicious legal battles in landmark smuggling case_Namibian Sun.pdf | 88.31 KB |
Another two black rhinos have been found poached in the Etosha National Park, and a rhino calf is still missing, after poachers struck again this week. This brings the total number of rhinos that have been killed in the country to 79 for the year so far. Police spokesperson Inspector Slogan Matheus confirmed that two black rhinos had been found dead at Etosha with their horns hacked off.
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NAM_2015-11_Rhino poaching toll hits 79_Namibian Sun.pdf | 93.15 KB |
Namibia has already lost three times the number of rhinos in 2015 compared to that of last year. A total of 77 rhinos and 37 elephants have been poached so far this year. This was confirmed by the Director of Parks and Wildlife Management in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Colgar Sikopo on Friday. Namibia has experienced a sharp increase in cases of rhino poaching over the past five years. Namibia lost one rhino to poaching in 2009 and 2010 respectively; two rhinos were illegally killed in 2012, four in 2013 and 25 last year.
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NAM_2015-10_Poaching rate triples_Namibian Sun.pdf | 92.32 KB |
Chief Inspector Barry de Klerk of the Namibian Police’s Protective Resources Unit delivered explosive evidence in his testimony in the trail of four Chinese nationals accused in Namibia’s biggest rhino-horn smuggling case. De Klerk described the hierarchy of an organised Chinese Triad. He revealed that Wang Hui was the kingpin in the group and said he was offered a bribe to ensure that Wang escaped justice. De Klerk said the bribery attempt is still being investigated.
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NAM_2015-10_Rhino kingpin offered police a bribe_Namibian Sun.pdf | 102.87 KB |